Saturday, February 22
Cookeville, TN
2 PM
Southern Illinois University
1-3
2
at
3
Tennessee Tech
6-0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Southern Illinois
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
7
1
Tennessee Tech
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
X
3
9
0
Michael Mylott
Photo by: Tori Alvarado, UTRGV Athletic Communications
Recap | Salukis drop series opener to Tennessee Tech, 3-2
02/22/2025 | 5:48:00 | Baseball
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Southern Illinois dropped the opening game of its road series at Tennessee Tech by a score of 3-2 Saturday afternoon in Cookeville, Tenn.
The Salukis received five shutout innings from its bullpen, but could not muster enough offense in the late innings to take the lead.
Tennessee Tech took an early 1-0 lead via sacrifice fly from Preston Steele.
With runners on second and third in the top of the second, the Salukis looked poised to tie or take the lead with just one out, but Tech starter Jaxson Pease (2-0) was able to get out of the jam after inducing a ground ball and a swinging strikeout.
The Golden Eagles stretched the lead to three after an RBI double from Carter Vrabel in the bottom of the third. Tech then forced out Saluki starter Jordan Huskey (0-2) after another single and a batter reaching on an error. The left-hander pitched 2.1 innings and allowed three earned runs.
Southern finally broke through in the top of the sixth with Cecil Lofton knocking in Kaleb Hall with a double to right center. John Lemm tallied an RBI groundout to score Lofton later in the inning and shrink the lead to one as the game headed to the final three frames.
The Salukis received a strong outing from their bullpen that kept the Golden Eagles within striking distance. Jackson Payne pitched four scoreless frames, striking out three and allowing just two hits and one walk. Tanner Gerdes and Sam Frizzi collected the final five outs as the Salukis had one more chance to tie in the top of the ninth.
Reece Mcduffie (S, 1) picked up the save for Tech after three scoreless innings which included a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.
Jordan Bach went 2-for-4 and was the lone Saluki with multiple hits.
UP NEXT
The Salukis will play game two of the three-game set with Tennessee Tech Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
The Salukis received five shutout innings from its bullpen, but could not muster enough offense in the late innings to take the lead.
Tennessee Tech took an early 1-0 lead via sacrifice fly from Preston Steele.
With runners on second and third in the top of the second, the Salukis looked poised to tie or take the lead with just one out, but Tech starter Jaxson Pease (2-0) was able to get out of the jam after inducing a ground ball and a swinging strikeout.
The Golden Eagles stretched the lead to three after an RBI double from Carter Vrabel in the bottom of the third. Tech then forced out Saluki starter Jordan Huskey (0-2) after another single and a batter reaching on an error. The left-hander pitched 2.1 innings and allowed three earned runs.
Southern finally broke through in the top of the sixth with Cecil Lofton knocking in Kaleb Hall with a double to right center. John Lemm tallied an RBI groundout to score Lofton later in the inning and shrink the lead to one as the game headed to the final three frames.
The Salukis received a strong outing from their bullpen that kept the Golden Eagles within striking distance. Jackson Payne pitched four scoreless frames, striking out three and allowing just two hits and one walk. Tanner Gerdes and Sam Frizzi collected the final five outs as the Salukis had one more chance to tie in the top of the ninth.
Reece Mcduffie (S, 1) picked up the save for Tech after three scoreless innings which included a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.
Jordan Bach went 2-for-4 and was the lone Saluki with multiple hits.
UP NEXT
The Salukis will play game two of the three-game set with Tennessee Tech Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: PEASE, Jaxson (2-0)
L: Jordan Huskey (0-2)
S: McDUFFIE, Reece (2)
Batting:
2B: Jordan Bach 1 ; Cecil Lofton 1 ; Gabe Petrucelli 1
RBI: Cecil Lofton 1 ; John Lemm 1
SH: Gabe Petrucelli 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kaleb Hall 1 ; Cecil Lofton 1
Batting:
2B: JORDAN, Nicho 1 ; VRABEL, Carter 1
RBI: STEELE, Preston 1 ; VRABEL, Carter 2
SH: GARZA, Eddie 2
SF: STEELE, Preston 1
Base Running:
RUNS: GREEN, Jackson 1 ; JORDAN, Nicho 1 ; GARZA, Eddie 1
SB: JORDAN, Nicho 1
HBP: WHITCOMB, Mack 1 ; STEELE, Preston 1 ; MOFFITT, Aaron 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
rf
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
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